2. Compare and contrast the motivations of a Middle Eastern terrorist Essay

2. Compare and contrast the motivations of a Middle Eastern terrorist organization with those of a domestic terrorist group. What are the similarities and differences - Essay Example In addition, the gravity of a threat passed by terrorist organization or group is dependent on organization or group’s degree of capability and intent. Domestic terrorist groups function usually within and against their nation of residence. The general motivational categories of domestic terrorist group include nationalism, ethnocentrisms, separatism, and revolution. In the context of nationalism, domestic terrorist groups are motivated by national consciousness and devotion as well as loyalty to the nation. The group’s intent can be to split the existing nation or establish a new one that incorporates the alleged national identity. Revolutionary motivation involves group’s attempts to put an end to a conventional order and reinstate governance with a novel social or political structure. Ethnocentric motivation of domestic terrorist group regard racial or ethnic characteristic as major societal defining factor. Furthermore, separatist motivation involves separation from entities or systems through political autonomy, independence, or religious domination or freedom. Separatists promote ideologies such as anti-imperial ism, social equity or justice, and opposition to occupation or conquest by foreign power. The overall ideologies of domestic terrorist group are framed by social, religious, or political purpose (U.S. Department of State, 2007). On the other hand, Middle Eastern terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda primarily operate in their geographic region and between nations. Al-Qaeda usually operates in multiple countries, and maintains focus for its operations with the co-ordination from a particular region. Al-Qaeda focuses on the value of notoriety because of the resultant spectacular attacks and mass media exploitation. One of the common motivations of al-Qaeda and other Middle Eastern terrorist organizations is the Islamic